An ongoing mixed-use development project in West Hollywood, known as the Melrose Triangle, has transformed into a large pool of stagnant water, earning the nickname 'WeHo Lake.' The water has turned green, presumably due to algae growth, and has become a habitat for mosquitoes, ducks, and other water-loving creatures. The project's construction is currently on hold, and the site has faced various challenges, including a lawsuit questioning the city's environmental review and the demolition of the former building on the property, Jones Dog & Cat Hospital, in 2018. The accumulation of water occurred after several groundwater pumps were vandalized, but repairs have been made and the water level has been reduced. The city of West Hollywood is collaborating with the property owner to address the issue and drain the water. The timeline for resuming construction on the project remains uncertain [32ab7428].
This development project is not the only concern in West Hollywood. The area has been grappling with an increase in burglaries and thefts, as well as a rise in the number of homeless individuals. Businesses and residents are working to improve safety and security in the neighborhood, while the police are urging the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities [5683b74c].
In addition to the challenges faced by the Melrose Triangle project, the city of West Hollywood is also dealing with the issue of homeless encampments. City crews recently removed planters that were installed by local business owners along Highland Boulevard to deter encampments. The planters were initially placed to address years of obstruction caused by the encampments, which affected businesses and contributed to the area's crime problem. However, the city classified the planters as obstructions and proceeded with their removal, despite objections from some business owners. The use of planters to deter homeless encampments is not unique to Hollywood, as other neighborhoods in Los Angeles have also implemented similar measures due to the growing homeless population in the city [b5f65e78].
The accumulation of stagnant water in the Melrose Triangle mixed-use development project highlights the challenges faced by construction projects and the need for effective maintenance and security measures. It also underscores the broader issues of safety, security, and homelessness that West Hollywood is currently addressing [32ab7428].
Phase one of a transformative landscape project at Santa Maria's City Hall is nearing completion after the removal of two large magnolia trees, the installation of pavers to create a permanent plaza for community events, and the development of educational gardens. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of fall 2024. The trees were removed due to age, disease, and splitting, as determined by city arborist Scott Christian. The landscape project was undertaken in response to an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom in the spring of 2022, directing the replacement of non-recreational turf with lower water-use plantings. The project includes the front area along City Hall, the border landscaping wrapping around Cook Street to McClelland Street, and along McClelland in front of the library. The project focuses on turning non-functional grass areas into multiple educational gardens, including a low-water use streetscape design, a Mediterranean garden, a water-friendly shade garden, a desert and succulent garden, and a low-water use garden featuring native California plantings. The majority of the work has been completed by city staff, with assistance from local contractors. The project will continue around the remainder of City Hall along Cook Street and then move to the back parking area. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in the next couple of months, with the entire project scheduled to be completed near the end of fall [1964c668].